ILLINOISE Reviews- Page 6

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 2:13pm

yyys said: "This is better on Broadway as far as orchestrations and staging. However, I miss Robbie Fairchild in the role of Clark. He was a much better dancer than the one currently playing it.....::sigh::"

You're not alone missing Robbie.  He was more powerful and those lines...

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 4:07pm

Saw this last night and absolutely loved everything about it. I am a big fan of Sufjan Stevens but I don't think you need to be to get onboard and enjoy the story telling. To me the story telling was very clear. I'm actually glad I read the "journal/insert" after the show. It gave a bit more insight into Henry's journey but I think if I had read it before, blindly, I wouldn't really understand it. The cast is stunning! I was a bit bummed that I wasn't going to get to see Robbie Fairchild but Brandt Martinez was fantastic and actually a performer I couldn't stop watching. The vocals are so good and the sound design was perfect. The moments when the orchestra kicks in you feel it to your core. This isn't a musical for everyone and while I think it deserved the nomination I don't think it is actually the best "musical". I will definitely make a trip back for a second viewing...something I rarely do. I was sat in the orchestra about 8th row on the aisle, an amazing view. The action is all mostly played down stage and center so even if you are on the sides I can't imagine you would miss much except for maybe having visuals on the vocalists who are a level up flanking both sides of the stage. 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 5:46pm

dramamama611 said: "
Here is the program they handed out at The Armory.


Because of Playbill limitations, you get it as a separate booklet...and has some different info. Enjoy"

Much appreciated dmama.

[round2]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 6:05pm

I love Robbie Fairchild, and his performance in ILLINOISE was excellent. I saw it twice at Bard last summer, and have to say that as wonderful as Robbie was and is - I missed Brandt Martinez in this. He brought a warmth and spirit into the show through his performance that felt galvanizing to the community it represents that I missed in his absence. 

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 6:41pm

No shade to Robbie but I feel like he would have read much older than the rest of the cast. Not that it would really matter but I felt like Brandt truly brought a lightness and an open spirit to his journal entry. 

[TamzBway]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 6:54pm

Thanks so much everyone! I did digital rush on today tix today and it was so easy. Got House left H25 all the way on the side. I couldn't see the male singer and I couldn't see a pivotal scene with Brandt on top of a building (don't want to spoil it). 
I thought it was a beautifully acted dance piece. I struggle to believe it will win best musical. I think it's very subjective. I personally didn't love it, nor do I think it should be considered a 'musical' in every sense of the word, but of course, it can be argued. I think Brandt and Ricky definitely were snubbed for tony nods. 

[kurtal]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 7:20pm

Bill Snibson said: "No shade to Robbie but I feel like he would have read much older than the rest of the cast. Not that it would really matter but I felt like Brandt truly brought a lightness and an open spirit to his journal entry."

I saw them Brandt at Bard and on Broadway and Robbie at the Armory.  Robbie is a beautiful dancer...but almost too beautiful?  I think Brandt's style blends more with the cast -- and I felt much more emotion exuding from his performance than from Robbie's.  

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 9:20pm

Does anyone dislike this thing or is just total love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match the raves posted here or from the critics. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 9:21pm

No show is loved by absolutely everyone. 

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 9:36pm

Matt Rogers said: "Does anyone dislike this thing or is justtotal love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match theraves posted here or from the critics."

Thats's theater. In the same space, watching the same show someone is having their life changed while the person next to them might be losing the will to live. Apples and Oranges. I LOVED "Illinoise". 

[hork]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 10:16pm

Matt Rogers said: "Does anyone dislike this thing or is justtotal love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match theraves posted here or from the critics."

I wouldn’t say I disliked it, per se, but I definitely didn’t like it. It felt like a weird pantomimed production of Godspell a lot of the time. 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 11:02pm

Matt Rogers said: "Does anyone dislike this thing or is justtotal love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match theraves posted here or from the critics."

I didn’t like it at the Armory. The two folks I was with also didn’t care for it, so you’re definitely not alone.

I haven’t seen it on Broadway, but one of my biggest issues was that it felt swallowed up by the Armory space - which also resulted in some sound issues (in that it mostly sounded like loud mush) - so I do wonder if the change of venue would soften my opinion. I also wasn’t wild about the choreography or the story, so probably not much, honestly.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 11:11pm

LOVED it at the Armory! We loved the open wide space of it all.   The St. James was an adjustment - ... It's the Best MUSICAL of the year.

[hork]

Posted: 5/1/24 at 11:15pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "Matt Rogers said: "Does anyone dislike this thing or is justtotal love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match theraves posted here or from the critics."

I didn’t like it at the Armory. The two folks I was with also didn’t care for it, so you’re definitely not alone.

I haven’t seen it on Broadway, but one of my biggest issues was that it felt swallowed up by the Armory space - which also resulted in some sound issues (in that it mostly sounded like loud mush) - so I do wonder if the change of venue would soften my opinion. I also wasn’t wild about the choreography or the story, so probably not much, honestly."

I’m glad I saw it on Broadway and I’m very glad I saw it from the best seat in the house (front row of the mezzanine, dead center, which made me feel like IT was swallowing ME up), but yeah, I wasn’t wild about the story or choreography either. 

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 5/2/24 at 11:34am

Thanks to those who responded to my initial question. I saw the show last night and had a wonderful time. Really beautiful show. 

I will say, I sat in Row N of the mezzanine and the first 20 minutes of the show were frustrating because of how far down stage it seemed to be staged. And then of course every person in front of me wanted to lean forward and throw their head back and forth to see, which made it more frustrating. This continued throughout the show but was less intrusive for me, but my partner had a difficult time due to head blockage and leaning forward almost the entire show (she's 5'4). Anyway, just a word of warning. 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 5/2/24 at 11:49am

hork said: "Matt Rogers said: "Does anyone dislike this thing or is justtotal love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match theraves posted here or from the critics."

I wouldn’t say I disliked it, per se, but I definitely didn’t like it. It felt like a weird pantomimed production of Godspell a lot of the time."

I felt I was at some sort of dance school finals or something, not a Broadway show. About 5 or 6 people walked out from the performance I attended. I tried hard to understand the appeal, but this show is not for me (no plot, no character development, no story). Glad I paid very little.

Updated On: 5/2/24 at 11:49 AM

[Listener]

Posted: 5/4/24 at 9:10am

Is Mezzanine Front Right, seat 28 a good view?

Hearing that someone had a left side seat 25 that was an obstructed view and caused them to miss certain moments makes me wonder...

Thanks for the advice from those who've sat in that area!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/4/24 at 11:44am

I think far house right is better than far left.  You will likely miss seeing half the band/singers.  You will, however, be able to see the billboard, which changes.   I can't imagine that any of the dance performance will be obstructed.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 5/4/24 at 12:43pm

gibsons2 said: "hork said: "Matt Rogers said: "Does anyone dislike this thing or is justtotal love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match theraves posted here or from the critics."

I wouldn’t say I disliked it, per se, but I definitely didn’t like it. It felt like a weird pantomimed production of Godspell a lot of the time."

I felt I was at some sort of dance school finals or something, not a Broadway show. About 5 or 6 people walked out from the performance I attended. I tried hard to understand the appeal, but this show is not for me (no plot, no character development, no story). Glad I paid 

Updated On: 5/4/24 at 12:43 PM

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/4/24 at 2:03pm

Listener said: "Is Mezzanine Front Right, seat 28 a good view?

Hearingthat someone had a left side seat 25that was an obstructed view and caused themto miss certain moments makes me wonder...

Thanks for the advice from those who've sat in that area!"

a)  It would be helpful if you tell us which row(s) you're asking about.  Almost every row in every section has a "seat 25" and a "seat 28".

b)  You can go to A View From My Seat and see exactly what the sightlines are from those locations.

https://aviewfrommyseat.com/venue/St.+James+Theatre/

 

 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/4/24 at 2:08pm

gibsons2 said: "hork said: "Matt Rogers said: "Does anyone dislike this thing or is justtotal love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match theraves posted here or from the critics."

I wouldn’t say I disliked it, per se, but I definitely didn’t like it. It felt like a weird pantomimed production of Godspell a lot of the time."

I felt I was at some sort of dance school finals or something, not a Broadway show. About 5 or 6 people walked out from the performance I attended. I tried hard to understand the appeal, but this show is not for me (no plot, no character development, no story). Glad I paid very little."

 

I LOATHED this show (which is not a "musical", despite the claims in their advertising.  I'm usually a huge fan of Justin Peck's work -- but this thing was just a pretentious bore (to me).  I had no idea who any of the characters were, and the music did absolutely nothing for me (I had never heard of the album).

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/5/24 at 10:33am

I saw this eloquent heartbreaker yesterday. In addition to Movin' Out, Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake sprang to mind, the corralling and unleashing of male energy in dance to express a limitless emotional range. I'm simply haunted: a ballet, a full throttle concert of a beloved album*, a hybrid piece of theatrical storytelling all at once. Passionately danced, the precision in the performance, exquisite. Even having read reviews, I was startled by the many surprises, in the conceived narrative and its remarkably cogent execution. 

The August 10 close is regrettable; many dance aficionados not able to visit NYC till later this year might seize this experience if it held on through the fall. Lucky to score superb orchestra seats during the brief window the matinee was available on TDF. “All things go, all things go” indeed.

*I can't get over the musical integrity in those album-preserving arrangements, the openings of the songs triggering memories of multiple hearings, and that wall of lush melody rushing from the St. James stage.

Updated On: 5/5/24 at 10:33 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/5/24 at 10:50am

I’ve seen this 6 times now and it’s quickly just becoming one of my favorite things, maybe ever. Funny how I missed so much the first time I saw it, even though it hit me so hard & so deeply but it’s the repeat viewings where I pick up on so much more.

I don’t think there’s a chance this takes Best Musical, now (I would have bet on it winning after the first time I saw it) after its acting nom snubs which I’ll never forgive the voters for. But damnit, it deserves to win. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/5/24 at 11:01am

I feel the same way.  I think it IS the best new musical, by far - but fear it won't be recognized as such. In addition the lack of acting noms (and even the placement of Ubeda in supporting) are harbingers of that, and I think it being a limited run also harms it.

 

 I'm jonesing to get back to the show, but am unsure if I can make it happen before the end of July - and even then I'll have to do some arm twisting of my companion.  (But I'm already planting seeds.)

ALL the feels.

Updated On: 5/5/24 at 11:01 AM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/5/24 at 11:56am

I so agree with Jordan about the acting snubs. I was glad to see that Ricky Ubeda got a Drama Desk nomination. He just broke me, at two key points in the narrative. Anyone who doesn't believe dancers are nuanced actors: this is Exhibit A to make you into a true believer. As technically refined and precise as the choreography is, its execution is so emotion-fueled, you feel everything the characters feel.

The piece's impact is mysterious, the story told so artfully externalized; yet the heart beats steadily underneath, the ineffable feelings released through movement, gesture, touch. A breathtaking experience. And its celebration of youth - rather than make us into nostalgic time travelers - reminds us of the ways we carry our often bruising formative years with us, if we're smart enough to hold onto their lessons and losses.  

Updated On: 5/5/24 at 11:56 AM